Pentagon influencer Kurt Schlichter praised dictators and vilified liberal women on social media

Kurt Schlichter, a retired Army colonel turned social-media influencer, has been employed by the Pentagon to support Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s anti-woke initiatives. While holding a government email address and a designation of “HQE” in a Department of Defense database, Schlichter posted on X praising dictators such as Augusto Pinochet and Francisco Franco, calling Pinochet “too soft” and labeling Franco a patriot.

He also wrote that liberal women constitute a “pestilence” that could bring down Western civilization and referred to immigrants as “Third World barbarians.” The Pentagon’s press secretary, Kingsley Wilson, said the presence of patriotic civilians and veterans like Schlichter was important for shaping future military leaders. Schlichter did not respond to requests for comment, and it is unclear whether he remains in the Pentagon role.